All of the students and staff at Chestermere Lake Middle School (CLMS) had something to cheer about on Thursday, March. 13 as the Calgary Stampeders Basketball team squared off against the Grades 7, 8 & 9 Boys and Girls Lakers during a fun basketball pep rally.
For over two decades, the Football Club has been visiting school gymnasiums in and around Calgary, giving youngsters the chance to go head-to-head with professional athletes during the off-season. This is the second year they visited the CLMS.
Stamps players Jabari Arthur, Corey Mace and Charleston Hughes showed off their skills on the court in front of a packed gym with several impressive moves including successful half court shots and slam dunks, causing the crowd of excited youth to explode with excitement each time.
Students and players were able to have some fun with the football pro’s during an exciting half-time show which consisted of an entertaining relay race.
“Along with many of my teammates, I love visiting local schools, playing basketball and having fun with all the kids,” said Stampeders defensive lineman Charleston Hughes, the Stampeders basketball team captain. “We’re always amazed by how skilled some of these young players are and we always get a good run for our money. This program is always a highlight of the off-season.”
Although the student players played an excellent game highlighting their skills, the Stamps did not let the kids off easy and held their one point lead until the end eventually triumphing with a score of 63-62. The students didn’t mind though and after the game, the Stampeders stayed to pose for photos and signed autographs for their fans.
The Stampeders have been playing basketball at local schools since the early 1990s, with hundreds of players having participated in more than 200 games over the years. In several instances, student-athletes who played against the Stampeders many years ago later became teachers and helped organize a return visit by the Stamps.
